As we prepare to re-open the dance studio on June 1st, we want to prepare the young dancers for some of the changes they will experience. We will work to keep as many things the same as before, but they will notice changes.
One big change will be that all young dancers and all teachers will be wearing masks. Please show your child this video several times and talk to them about how masks help us stay healthy.
Have your child wear their mask and play in it around the house. It’s important that their first experience wearing the mask is not when they come to dance class.
Please know that we love all of our dancers and are doing everything we can to provide a safe, healthy environment for them.
Imagine the embarrassment of having your headpiece fly off while you are dancing. It’s distracting and even dangerous for the other performers. The audience’s focus moves to the headpiece lying on the stage.
All performers must learn how to secure their costume headpiece. Continue reading to learn how to confidently secure your headpieces.
Styles of Dance Costume Headpieces
Performance headpieces are wildly different. Some are simple scrunchies, appliques, or just a strip of fabric. Others are made on a headband, barrettes, or combs.
Dancers may also have hats or masks to wear as part of their costumes. The weight and height of these head adornments can vary.
Methods for Securing Costume Hair Pieces
Never rely on barrettes or elastics the come on the hairpiece. As soon as you do, the “headpiece fairy” will come and rip it off your head.
Small Fabric
If your headpiece is a strip of fabric, applique, scrunchie, or bow, use plenty of bobby pins and hair spray. After putting it in place, use bobby pins whose color doesn’t distract from the costume piece.
You may wish to use strong-hold hairspray on the hair first to crease a stiffer texture. This helps ensure that the hairpiece will stay in place.
Hats
You must know if the hat stays on the head throughout the dance. If the choreography calls for the hat to taken off and put on, then you don’t need to attach it.
There are several approaches to securing hats. For soft-sided hats, cut a small hole in the sides and back. Then use bobby pins to attach it to the hair. Another option is to put an elastic strap on it that’s worn under the chin.
Staining white elastic with tea or makeup helps to hide if from the audience.
Headbands
Headband style headpieces can present a challenge. There are several approaches to try. One is to glue a ribbon inside the headband. Leave spaces where the ribbon isn’t glued. This will allow you to use bobby pins to hold it in place.
Steps for Securing Headband Style Headpieces
Another method is to integrate the headpiece placement into the hair bun process. Here are the simple steps to follow.
1. Glue or sew a piece of elastic to the ends of the headband so that it fits the head. If the headband “pokes” into the dancer’s head, you can glue some felt or foam to make it softer.
2. Hot glue a small loop of 1/4″ elastic at the top of of the headband. Put bobby pins through this loop going in opposite directions to secure the top of the headband.
3. Divide the back half of the hair and place the upper part in a ponytail.
4. Place the headband on the hair with the elastic across the back of the head. Pin the elastic band with bobby pins. Spray extra-hold hairspray over bobby pins.
5. Pull the lower half of the hair up and join it into the ponytail. This covers the elastic and helps secure the headband.
One of the best times in a dancer’s life is the performance. You have a chance to share your passion with an audience. Don’t let a costume headpiece falling off ruin your moment.
Dance for Joy Dancewear is your source for dancewear needs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We stock tights, nudies, soft ballet shoes, jazz shoes, and lyrical/contemporary shoes. You can also order other dancewear to meet your individual fashion and dance needs.
Shoe fittings are provided by a professional dance teacher with 15 years of teaching and over 30 years of dance experience. Check back frequently for more articles about dance. Contact us today for any questions or to place an order.
Are you a dancer? Are you a parent of a dancer? When it comes time for a performance, many dance companies or schools require a dance bun. Does this raise your anxiety level?
Some choose to try and use a “dance donut”. Part of a dance education should include learning how to make a bun for both class and performance. This adheres to the standards of dance etiquette.
This easy ballerina bun tutorial will make you a performance bun expert in no time. So, throw away those donuts and bun like a pro.
History of the Ballet Bun
The ballet bun first appeared in the Italian Renaissance courts during the 15th century. It has remained to standard hairstyle for ballerinas. Most classic ballet schools require students to have their hair in a bun for class.
Having the hair secured in a bun isn’t only more attractive. It increases the dancer’s confidence and focus as they learn, practice, and perform their skills.
Having hair in a dancer’s face can provide a distraction as well as interfere with their vision. This could result in an injury to themselves and/or other dancers.
For performance, the ballet bun provides a clean crisp look to the dance. It also helps to secure headpieces in place.
Easy Tutorial for Making a Ballerina Bun
Making a ballet bun is easy when you have the right tools and know the steps. This tutorial will show you how to create a bun for different hair types and styles.
This tutorial does not specifically address African American type hair. If the hair is curly and loose, use a hair net as described to create a smooth bun.
Gather Supplies
You will need to gather the following supplies:
2 ponytail holders
Hairnet–can usually be found at drug stores or beauty supply stores
Strong hold hair gel
Strong hold hairspray
Bobby pins close to the color of the hair
Hairbrush
Possibly bendy hair clip barrettes close to the color of the hair
Starting with damp hair makes it easier to create a smooth bun. Know where the bun should be placed according to the choreographer/instructor. This may be at the nape of the neck, crown of the head, or in between.
Video Tutorials
The following are short videos showing how to create a ballerina bun on different types and styles of hair.
Long Thick Hair
Hair with Bangs
Short Hair
Tiny Dancer
Are You Ready to Perform?
After viewing the easy ballerina bun tutorial, you should feel confident in making a ballet bun. Dance for Joy Dancewear offers tights, nudies and soft ballet, jazz, and lyrical shoes for performances.
Each customer receives individual shoe fittings by a professional dance instructor and former dancer. You can special order leotards, skirts, shorts, and other dancewear accessories.
We are located on the Mississippi Gulf coast and ready to meet your performance and dance needs. Contact us today to ask questions and find your go-to place for dancewear.
Dance for Joy Dancewear 